As noted by Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Russia is consistently and steadily continuing to prepare an asymmetric effective response to the deployment of elements of the American European missile defense system, which Dmitry Medvedev (President of Russia) warned about at the end of November. And although the ultimatum of the head of the Russian Federation did not mention the strategic missile complex, Moscow is very actively working on this issue. And in order to avoid accusations in the next nuclear arms race, it does it without loud statements, and “in a quiet way”.
It is known that at the end of December there was a salvo launch of a strategic naval missile of the Bulava type from a submerged position, as well as a strategic missile of the Stilette type, which has a new warhead. In addition, it was reported that the 2nd regiment of the Yars-type ground-based missile complex was put on duty (combat).
This year, the last underwater salvo launch of two R-30 Bulava missiles (according to NATO classification RSM-56, SS-NS-30), fired from the Borey-type strategic submarine missile cruiser (Project 955), Yuri Dolgoruky, took place on December 23. Dmitry Medvedev (President of the Russian Federation) on Tuesday at a reception in the Kremlin in front of the highest command personnel of the fleet and the army solemnly announced that the Bulava test program was very successful, and that now it is planned to be adopted.
Presumably, in the very near future, "Bulava" will become the basis of the strategic naval nuclear forces of the Russian Federation. In addition, for this missile, the construction of submarines has already begun. And, as stated, they intend to place about 12 silos with Bulava missiles on the lead missile cruiser Yuri Dolgoruky. And on the second cruiser (serial) of this project (No. 955A), "Alexander Nevsky", which is planned to enter the Navy not earlier than 2012, 16 mentioned missiles will be installed. In addition, the Bulava missiles in the amount of 20 units are supposed to be placed on each of the following ships of the same series: Saint Nicholas, Vladimir Monomakh, and, accordingly, on 4 more SSBNs, which are going to enter by 2020 into operation.
It is worth noting that out of 18 Bulava launches, only 11. Unsuccessful tests were the reason for uncertainty about the readiness of the missiles. And yet, four consecutive successful launches this year were able to influence the command's decision to finally complete the seven-year test.
Answer number 2 - 2nd regiment "Yarsov"
As NG notes, referring to the statement last Wednesday what the military did, it can be called another important (undeclared) response to the American European missile defense system, which was the placement in the Teikovskaya missile division (Ivanovo region) on experimental combat duty of the second strategic ground missile complex, such as RS-24 "Yars". Let us clarify that at the beginning of March, the first regiment took up combat duty. The number of launchers in the regiment is not reported, however, according to media reports, now, after the appearance of the second regiment in the Strategic Missile Forces (Strategic Missile Forces), there are about 12 launch complexes of the RS-24 type.
Lieutenant General Sergei Karakaev (commander of the Strategic Missile Forces) announced in mid-December that it is planned to re-equip the troops at the expense of Yars and Topol-M over the next 10 years, and additionally a powerful intercontinental missile will enter service. By the way, the military assure that none of the currently existing missile defense system is capable of intercepting the Yars. In addition, the command announced its intentions to supply Yars to the Kozelsk division of the Strategic Missile Forces instead of the outdated strategic missiles of the RS-18 (UR-100NUTTH) Stiletto type (according to the western classification SS-19). Also, a little earlier it was said that the RS-24 will replace the outdated RS-20 Voevoda (R-36M) and RS-18 (UR-100N UTTH).
At the same time, obsolete missile systems are in no hurry to remove them from combat duty. Recently (at the end of December), a test launch was made from the Baikonur test site of the UR-100NUTTH, which had new head equipment. According to NG, this was a check (unreported) of the head multiple unit of individual guidance, which was installed on the Yars and Bulava.
It is worth noting that Dmitry Medvedev (President of the Russian Federation) said on November 23 that due to the fact that the Americans refuse to provide legal guarantees that the missile defense is not directed against Russia, Moscow will take retaliatory measures, among which the President called the commissioning of the Voronezh-MD In the Kaliningrad region, covering the objects of strategic nuclear forces with air defense and missile defense systems, as well as the deployment of Iskander missile strike systems on the southern and western borders of the state.
Some time later, the Ministry of Defense reported on the work done in this direction. In the presence of D. Medvedev, the Voronezh-MD radar station was commissioned in late November. And on December 1, the rocket and space troops, which were created by the personal order of the head of the country, took up combat duty.
